Meredith Monk has been composing, choreographing, and performing since the mid-1960s. Her voice has a unique timbre, which she explores through a cappella singing and speech. As a dancer and choreographer, she creates hybrid, theatrical productions that incorporate ritualistic movements, lighting effects, and small props. In the slender genre of dance video, Monk has been cited for her skill and understanding of both mediums, and her video Ellis Island, made with filmmaker Bob Rosen, has been praised as “one of the most stunning dance videos to date.”